Canine Partners

Thrill-seeking fundraisers took to the sky above London to abseil down the ArcelorMittal Orbit to raise vital funds for Canine Partners.

Those brave enough to take part in the abseil on Sunday 19 August hung in free space 80 metres above the ground at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Kelly Fiddy, a 31-year-old mum-of-two from Emsworth, took part in the abseil on the day. She said:

“The abseil was incredible and right up my street as I’m not scared of heights and I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie. The views were exceptional and it was so easy to get the hang of abseiling so I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

After the abseil, Kelly spoke with Jackie Kennedy about her canine partner Kingston. Of speaking with Jackie, Kelly said:

“I couldn’t have chosen a better charity to fundraise for as Canine Partners is an outstanding charity and seeing first-hand what the dogs can do amazes me. They really do change the life of a person with disabilities and I could see the bond between Jackie and Kingston on the day. He is not only her canine partner but her lifesaver too.”

Also abseiling from the structure was 75-year-old Rubina Savage, a grandmother from Nottingham. Rubina was doing the abseil to prove she is still young at heart and can do anything. She said:

“The abseil experience was everything and more than I expected. The fact I did it for Canine Partners made me really proud of myself and of all the others that took part.”

Canine Partners receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from the public, legacies and fundraising events like the London abseil. Each life-transforming partnership costs £20,000 for the charity to create, from selection as a puppy right through to the dog’s retirement at around 12 years old.

Helen Watkinson, Head of Community and National Fundraising, said:

“Events like the ArcelorMittal Orbit abseil are so important as not only does it give our existing supporters something incredibly exciting to experience but it helps us to reach out to a brand new audience who may never previously have heard of the charity.”

Over the last two years, we have raised in excess of £50,000 through the London abseil, which will help us to create two more amazing partnerships and be well on our way to creating a third.

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